Welfare

Keeping in touch

The Royal Navy recognises and fully appreciates the importance of keeping in touch with your loved ones and friends when they are deployed.

This page covers how to keep in touch and also provides access to the Royal Navy forum which is available whenever, and for whatever, you need. Enabling you to communicate with people like you who are "in the same boat", in a safe, protected online environment.

access the Royal navy forum

The Royal Navy forum provide a safe and protected online environment for Naval Service personnel, their family and friends, who need the type of support that reflects the uniqueness of Naval life. The forum is an invaluable source of information, updates, support and advice.

Ways to keep in touch

E-Mail

E-Mail is now recognised as the primary method of communication to and from ships at sea and deployed units. So making sure that you have your loved ones official e-mail address before they deploy should be a priority.

There may be times when electronic communications are restricted. This could be for multiple reasons such as safety or to maintain operational security. Remember to keep sending your messages though as they will eventually get through!

If you feel that you are not receiving your regular e-mails then make sure you check for the latest communications updates which are posted into the ship/unit forum in the Royal Navy forum. You will also find this information posted onto the Official Facebook Group of those participating ships and units.

Postal Services

Despite advances in technological communication the importance of receiving a letter or a parcel from a loved one remains an integral part in maintaining the morale of deployed personnel.

Unsure on what you can send, what is a "Bluey", will it get there in time, what's the address?

Need to calculate the cost of a parcel? The BFPO information Smartphone Application can help. Simply enter the size, weight and destination, it even gives final mailing deadlines for important annual dates like Christmas.